Chasing Ah Ha!

Yesterday afternoon I had fun presenting at the Michigan Association of Computer User’s in Learning (MACUL) conference in Grand Rapids, MI. I created a wiki to support my discussion of Embracing Community and Reflection through
Online Digital Portfolios. I appreciated the chance to organize and share some of the experiences of the past 8 months. AAPS has spent over $15 million dollars on computing which has been very exciting but the curricular possibilities lagged. So with a Bluehost account I took my chance to break out and teach more boldly.

What led me to stepping up to a greater online instruction was the experiences I have had with Jeff Lebow and Dave Cormier of Worldbridges and EdTechTalk. They have been an awesome support with vision and encouragement. What was really exciting for me with this presentation was when Jeff asked about webcasting the presentation. I agreed and we webcasted and used skype to draw in Jeff and Dave and their expertise. The settup work nearly flawlessly. The participants responded well to all of the lively energy this gave out.
I described our moodle experiences at the elementary and high school level. Dr. Chris Curtis, of Stone HS, has made the strongest use of this resource with his senior seminar. Chris also skyped in from Ann Arbor to speak to his experiences with moodle. Pete Pasque, another AAPS teacher using moodle, skyped in just after the presentation. We had hoped to have him participate but his school duties got in the way.

I also talked about the Elgg, podcasts and wikis. The discussion and ideas flowed well. But the amazing quality, ease and free cost of Skype made the afternoon a special connecting collaboration. Earlier in the day, David Pogue, of the NY Times, talked of the new technologies of the 2010 student. Skype was on his list and today confirmed it’s selection.

Technorati Tags: moodle, Skype, Web 2.0, Worldbridges

Today is my 52nd birthday. It has been a quiet uneventful one. Coffee, smoothy, a trip to the gym, pool, sauna and off to the classroom. During the day I continue to be thankful for my wife and family. I am enjoying my instruction in the computer labs. What is different, is that I have committed to step up and have a web presence. Voyaguer Learning will be one more arena, where I can explore new media and practice what I rant about.

I would not be here with out the generous connection of Jeff Labow and Dave Cormier of worldbridges.com and edtechtalk.com. Our relationship represents so of the great new discoveries one finds in the new world of podcasting, skype and chats.

My goals for Voyageur Learning is to use new media, putting to the test in my classrooms. Rather than live at the pace my school district, I am stepping out to find my own rhythm of exploration and discovery. This is easier than I thought it would be and yet it continues to consume a great deal of time. This post is written just so I can have it done on this day. I will continue to learn and explore other aspects of web resources.

While I may get frustrated with some aspects of working within the Ann Arbor Public Schools, I do have to celebrate the rich opportunity I experience there every school day. I teach in computer labs with the latest equipment. I get to formulate and test learning experiences for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. There are fine people working with me. Michael Smith keeps me grounded yet challanged.

So I am lifting a toast tonight, to good times and Happy Trails.

Technorati Tags: EdTechTalk, Web 2.0, Worldbridges